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ideal range of blood pressure
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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #14976
45 days ago
125

ideal range of blood pressure - #14976

Khushi

I am kinda freaking out about my blood pressure lately. Went to my doc last week for a check-up and they said my reading was 150/95, which is apparently high?! I thought I was doing everything right, ya know, like eating healthy and exercising. But then I hear all this stuff about the ideal range of blood pressure being way lower than that. What actually is that ideal range of blood pressure? Like, is it the same for everyone? I googled it, and I saw different numbers, and honestly, it just confused me more. I’ve also noticed I get really stressed before doc appointments, is that a factor? I mean, I’ll be sitting there in the waiting room and my heart races and then boom, those numbers shoot up. Does that mean I’m always going to have high blood pressure or just when I'm stressed? My aunt had hypertension for years and I’m worried I might be heading in that direction. I want to get back to normal, or you know, whatever the ideal range of blood pressure is. Can I make changes to lower it, or will I always be in this high range now?

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Doctors’ responses

The ideal range for blood pressure, for most adults, is typically considered to be below 120/80 mmHg. When readings go above 130/80 mmHg consistently, it may be classified as hypertension, or high blood pressure. Your reading of 150/95 falls into this category, which suggests that attention is needed to manage it. Now, you’re right to consider that stress may be a factor. It’s absolutely true that “white coat syndrome” — experiencing temporary spikes in blood pressure due to anxiety at medical appointments — can affect your readings. This doesn’t necessarily mean your blood pressure is always high, but it’s something you should monitor periodically outside of the doctor’s office. Engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet low in sodium and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains can help. Limiting alcohol intake and managing stress through relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga might also be beneficial. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, sometimes medication is necessary to maintain healthy levels. Given your family history with hypertension, it’s wise to stay proactive. Considering home monitoring of your blood pressure can be a useful tool to get an accurate picture of how your numbers look outside stress-inducing situations. But, before making any significant changes or if you’ve concerns, having a direct conversation with your healthcare provider is advisable. They’ll guide you through the best measures tailored for your condition, and perhaps decide if additional diagnostics or treatment adjustments are needed.

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